Head sling affixable to a chair

ABSTRACT

A head support apparatus provides support to a persons head while the person is seated. A seat strap passes around the seat back of a seat and is adjusted tightly enough to maintain itself in position. A support strap attaches in a least one place to the seat strap at the back side of the seat back. The support strap passes up over the top of the seat back and presents a sling at the front side of the seat back to support a user&#39;s head. The seat strap, support strap, and sling are adjustable at several locations to place the sling where the user wants it. The sling may be positioned to engage a person&#39;s mandible, or forehead, as desired. The sling may also be adjusted to allow the person&#39;s head to lay a little to the side.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a utility application which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application 62/295,491, filed on Feb. 15, 2016. The entiredisclosures contained in the specification and figures for U.S.Provisional Application 62/295,491, including the attachments thereto,are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates generally to kits in the fields ofgarments, headrests, and particularly to head supports, that fit ontocar and airplane seats to provide stability from undesired side to sideand forward movement of a wearer's head.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Long distances commutes via land, sea, and air have become commonplacefor both business and pleasure. During those commutes, the passengerspends most of their time seated, sometimes in a partially reclinedposition. As a result, passengers often fall asleep in their seats outof the boredom of being confined to their seat or due to fatigue fromrising early or working late.

In 2008, a survey was conducted to gather data on how airplane seatsaffect travelers' backs and necks. The hypothesis that a majority of airpassengers, even those that stay awake during flight, develop backand/or neck pain after a flight was confirmed by the survey. The resultsof that survey, depicted graphically in FIGS. 1-4, demonstrate that 69%of all air travelers developed neck pain after their flight, 74% of airtravelers indicated that they would be willing to pay extra to be ableto have a special seat that would help alleviate back/neck pain fromtravel, and that as many as 25% of respondents would be willing to payat least $51 for a more comfortable travel experience.

It is common knowledge the neck and upper back muscles will relax when aperson enters active or REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. When that personfalls asleep in an upright or slightly inclined position the head losesits support and will fall away from its vertical axis. When the head isresting against a head rest and the person falls asleep, the head mayfall forward, roll to the left side or the right side, or fall forwardand roll to one side, all of which negate the natural alignment of thespine. The movement of the head may become more frequent and forceful inturbulent travel conditions. Moreover, the head may jerk to compensatefor an unsafe imbalance of mass away from the vertical axis. Due tosudden movement, vertebra in your neck can misalign, this in turnpresses on nerves that in turn can cause neck muscle spasms. Since theaverage person's head weighs 5 to 6 kg (approximately 12 to 14 lbs), thehead is designed to distribute weight evenly from front to back and sideto side so as to not cause unnecessary strain on ligaments, tendons, andmuscles.

Complaints of tension, neck pain, headache, and fatigue are common afterwaking from sleep where the person's head is in movement or comes torest in an unnatural position. The position of the head while sleepingmay affect circulation and constrict the airway in those prone to sleepapnea. Waking with neck pain after sleeping can mean that it is painfulto turn your head, that the neck is stiff and perhaps even that yourposture has changed slightly. Where the neck is tilted to one side thisis referred to as acquired torticollis (wry neck). Adult acquiredtorticollis is usually able to be treated conservatively, however, asthe cause is an acute problem with the musculoskeletal system.Basically, any time the neck is held in a poor posture position, themuscles become stressed and they can become fatigued.

Those who regularly suffer from torticollis and neck pain after sleepingmay wish to consult their doctor and/or chiropractor to see if there isan underlying spine condition at work. Facet joint disease, disc bulgingor herniation, cervical spine arthritis, or other mechanical problemscould be at the root of the pain and could be exacerbated by awkwardhead positions or movement while sleeping. Where there is a stabilityproblem in the spine, the muscles and ligaments often overcompensate bybecoming tense, stiff and calcified, and new bone may even develop asbone spurs to try to restore stability in frequent travelers. Swellingand inflammation in the neck can also arise as a way of restrictingdamaging movements through hyper-flexibility. Using anti-inflammatoriesand pain relief medications may help in the short term in such cases butthe problem will likely persist unless the underlying cause is dealtwith effectively. The above issues and many other issues may be founddiscussed in non-patent literature regarding neck health and neck healthwhile traveling.

RELEVANT ART

U.S. Published Patent Application 2015/0203009 A1 by Swearingen is for a“HEAD STABILIZING STRAP ASSEMBLY”. Embodiments of the apparatus includea system for holding a user's head upright and in place, the systemincluding a seat strap, a chin strap, and a forehead strap. The seatstrap may be configured to fit around the circumference of a seat'sheadrest. The chin strap may be padded and have a central portion, adistal end, and a proximal end. The distal end and the proximal end maybe spaced apart and removably attached to the seat strap by a fastener.The chin strap may be adjustable and configured to fit around a user'schin. The forehead strap may be attached to the seat strap between theproximal end of the chin strap and the distal end of the seat strap. Theforehead strap may be adjustable and configured to fit around acircumference of the user's forehead.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,607,245 B1 by Scher is for a “HEAD RESTRAINT”. Scherdiscloses a head restraint for supporting a user's head with respect tothe head rest portion of a seat. The head restraint has a headband strapfor placing over the head across the forehead of the user. An anchorband is secured around the head rest portion of the seat. A righthandsecurement strap is affixed between the strap placed over the head ofthe user and the anchor band. Similarly, a lefthand strap is affixedbetween the strap placed over the head of the user and the anchor band.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,909,406 B2 by Samuelsen is for a “RESTING APPARATUS”.Samuelsen discloses a resting apparatus that includes a resting platformsufficient to support the leaning weight of the user and a configurationof straps to provide support in a limited or enclosed space. The restingplatform has a pair of support loop straps extending from it. Thesesupport loop straps fasten to a suspension strap that loops around theseat back. Embodiments of the resting apparatus has some adjustablefeatures.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,285,658 B2 by Cleveland is for a “HEAD SUPPORT DEVICE”.In Cleveland a pair of straps attach to a seat back. Cleveland suggestsusing safety pins in some applications and in other, more permanent,applications, snaps attached to the seat back to attach the straps. Across brace extends between the straps to maintain their spacing. Thestraps join to opposite ends of a pad which hangs down in the front of aseat. This pad supports the head of a person occupying the seat.

As may be seen from the relevant art, there is a need for a supportapparatus that is easily adjustable to different seats and differentpositions, and uses the full height of the seat back.

SUMMARY

The embodiments of the device described herein comfortably maintains theposition of the wearer's head while sleeping in an upright position,such as on an airplane, bus, train, etc. The device provides a sling,preferably formed of a foam material or memory foam, which supports auser's head by contacting a user's mandible or keeps a user's headvertical aligned by contacting a user's forehead. The sling has a distalsurface which is adjacent to the mandible or forehead of the user and aproximal surface which faces away from the user. Ideally, the distalsurface is soft and comfortable to the user. The proximal surface, in anembodiment, is durable and capable of acting as the outer shell of apouch in which the device is self-contained.

In some arrangements, the user's mandible rests in the sling against adistal surface which faces the user. This provides support that preventsthe forward movement of the head, and the side-to-side movement of thehead as well. The tension across the sling is sufficient to preventdramatic and sudden movements of the head, but does not provide so muchforce as to be uncomfortable to the user while seated and awake,permitting normal head movement such as turning and moving the chin downand up with eating or with reasonable forward and back head movements.In some arrangements, the sling may be adjusted to allow the head to layto the side and be supported. For some users, or for long trips, astrictly vertical position may be uncomfortable. Alternatively, thedevice may be adjusted to contact a user's forehead to maintain the headin an upright and neutral position.

The sling is affixed to straps which form a first loop adjacent to thesling and a second loop adjacent to the first loop. Alternatively,drawstrings are utilized instead of straps. The drawstrings are pulledtight and held in place by drawstring fasteners.

The first loop is affixed to the lengthwise ends of the sling at a firstend and a second end, with the ends being situated at the lengthwiseends of the sling which, when worn, extend distally upward from themandible. The first loop is formed by a proximal side consisting of thesling and a distal side adjacent to or integrated with the proximal sideof the second loop. The second loop extends distally away from thedistal side of the first loop and possesses a proximal side adjacent toor integrated with the first loop's distal side. The proximal side ofthe second loop encircles the chair back.

The first loop is preferably smaller than the second loop, with thesecond loop having a means to adjust the circumference of the loop so asto securely fit around a chair back. The second loop of the device isplaced over the chair back with the proximal end of the second looparranged across the distal side of the chair back, opposite of theproximal side where a person would sit and rest their back. The secondloop is then tightened by the means to adjust the circumference of theloop so as to fit securely around the chair back.

The first loop and sling are pulled up and over the headrest so that thefirst loop is arranged across the headrest and arranged so that thedistal side of the first loop lies on the distal side of the chair backand the sling lies on the proximal side of the chair back while thelateral sides if the first loop drape over the headrest. When utilizedwith a seat, the wearer's mandible is placed in the sling for support.The lateral ends of the sling extend upward from the mandible so as toprovide lateral and rotational stability to the head. By using the fullheight of the seat back, embodiments of the device allow the first loopto remain closer to vertical as it extends upward from the sling.

Alternatively, the head support is comprised of a sling possessing adrawstring extending from the first and second sides of the sling andthrough a plurality of drawstring fasteners through which two loops arecreated. The drawstring may comprise a drawstring loop which is acontinuous conjoined drawstring along which a plurality of drawstringaffixing means are utilized to securely bring a first drawstring sideand a second drawstring side together so as to create at least twoloops; two separate drawstrings which originate from each side of thesling and which run parallel to each other so as to create a pluralityof loops, the first of which encompasses the chair back. The firstdrawstring fastener is arranged so as to create a first loop by pullingthe two sides together so as to affix and secure the headsling aroundthe chair back. The first drawstring fastening means is configured totighten the drawstring about the chair back. The first drawstringfastening means is intended to tighten against and stop adjacent to theproximal side of the chair back, i.e. the seating surface.

A second loop is formed between the distal side of the chair back andthe sling. The length of the second loop is adjustable to accommodatedifferent length requirements. The distal end of the second loop isintegrated with the sling. The sling and second loop passes over thehead rest of the chair for engagement with the wearer's chin drawstringfastener.

When not being used, the sling acts as a pouch to store the straps ordrawstrings which comprise the first loop and second loop. In oneembodiment, the sling is deployed by inverting the pouch to reveal thesoft, distal side of the sling. The sling possess a means for fasteningso as to seal the pouch with the straps inside. In an embodiment, thefirst loop is affixed to the sling so that the point of affixation willlie within the pouch formed when the sling is inverted and sealed. In afurther embodiment, the straps or drawstrings used in the first loop areelastic to accommodate the comfort of the wearer.

In other embodiments of the device, the sling has spring powered reelsat each end. The spring power reels carry within them straps, which haveclips at their ends. The straps may be made of cord, cable, or anysuitable tensile material. After a loop is placed around the seat backand adjusted to be sufficiently snug to maintain its position on theseat. The straps are extended from spring powered reels and therespective clips attached to the loop. The straps pass up over the topof the seat back and present the sling at the front side of the seatback. The spring powered reels can be locked maintain the straps at aset length, or the spring powered reels may be allowed to keep tensionin the straps. In some embodiments, the spring powered reels areenclosed in the ends of the sling and the straps exit the ends of thesling. Buttons on the spring powered reels are accessible through thesling to lock or unlock the spring powered reels.

Also disclosed herein is a collapsible garment which expands to form acocoon in which a person may relax while in a seated position. Thecocoon acts as a blanket within which a traveler may seek comfort andrefuge while sitting on an airplane, train, bus, or similar means oftransportation. The garment is preferably comprised of a thin materialsuch as a synthetic material like nylon or vinyl, but may also becomprised of natural fabrics such as cotton. Ideally, the garment willbe soft, and be capable of retaining a traveler's body's heat so as tocreate a comfort zone in which the wearer resides.

The garment possesses an internal surface and an external surface, afront, left and right sides, a neck covering which transitions from thechest and back into a hood to cover the wearer's head, tube-like armcoverings, and at least one leg pouch, but alternatively two legpouches, in which the wearer's legs are inserted. In an alternativeembodiment, the garment is lined on the internal surface. The liner isintended to enhance the comfort of the wearer. The liner is preferablyintended to enhance softness but may also increase warmth in a furtheralternative embodiment.

The garment possesses an open back through which the wearer may enterthe cocoon while seated, preferably feet first. The garment's open backpreferably transitions to a closed back across the shoulders and legs.The wearer then inserts their arms into the arm coverings. The armcoverings are tube-like and enclose the length of the wearer's arms wheninserted therein from the back of the garment. The arm coverings possessproximal and distal ends. The distal ends of the arm coverings arepreferably configured with elastic so as to enclose the wearer's arms.

In an embodiment, a pouch is integrated into the outer surface of thegarment's chest to provide for storage. Preferably, the pouch isutilized to enclose the garment when collapsed. When collapsed, thegarment can be rolled up and folded so as to facilitate its entry intothe pouch for storage.

When combined with a headsling, it forms a traveler's comfort kit whichis employed by a traveler for the purpose of finding comfort whiletraveling. The kit may be entirely contained within a single pouch oralternatively within separate pouches. The pouch is sealed by a pulldrawstring fastener to keep the pouch closed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional utility and features of the invention will become more fullyapparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the followingdrawings, which illustrate some of the primary features of embodimentsof the head support apparatus.

FIG. 1 is a pie graph of responses to the survey question, “How did yourback/neck feel after the flight?”

FIG. 2 is a pie graph of responses to the survey question, “What type ofpain did you have after a typical flight.”

FIG. 3 is a pie graph of responses to the survey question, “Would you bewilling to pay extra if airlines offered a special seat for back/neckpain sufferers?”

FIG. 4 is a pie graph of responses to the survey question, “How muchwill you be willing to pay?”

FIG. 5 shows a front view of a seat back with an embodiment of a headsupport installed on it.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a head supportinstalled on a seat back and a person using the apparatus.

FIG. 7 shows a pad slidable along a support strap.

FIG. 8 shows the back of a seat having an embodiment of a head supportinstalled on it.

FIG. 9 shows the back of a seat with an embodiment of a head supportinstalled on a seat back where the end of a support strap attaches to aseat strap.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a head support installed on a seat and aperson using the apparatus adjusted to allow the head to lay to theside.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of a seat strap by itself.

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of a sling portion and support strap of ahead support.

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a head supportinstalled on a seat back.

FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a head supportinstalled on a seat back.

FIG. 15 shows an embodiment of a sling portion of a head support, thesling portion having spring powered reels containing support straps.

FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a head supportinstalled on a seat back.

FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a head supportinstalled on a seat back.

FIG. 18 shows an embodiment of a head support installed on a seat and aperson using the apparatus adjusted to contact the forehead.

FIG. 19 shows an embodiment of a sling portion of a head support, thesling portion having spring powered reels within the ends of the sling.

FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a head supportinstalled on a seat back.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 5 shows a front view of a seat back 100 with an embodiment of headsupport 10 installed on it. Seat strap 20 of head support 10 passesaround seat back 100. Seat strap 20 is sized to be snug enough tomaintain its desired location on seat back 100. D-rings 21 allow seatstrap 20 to be sized as needed. Support straps 30 pass over the top 102of seat back 100 and present sling 40 at the front side 104 of seat back100. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, sling 40 is contiguous with supportstraps 30 and may be a section of a strap, or multiple straps combined.The strap may run from a first end to a second end, each end attached toseat strap 20 at the back side 106 of seat back 100. D-rings 31 allowthe length of the strap to be adjusted and may operate to combinemultiple straps. In FIG. 5, pad 50 is located on sling 40, and itslocation on sling 40 is adjustable.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a head support 10installed on seat back 100 and a person using the apparatus 10. Seatstrap 20 of head support 10 passes around seat back 100 and is adjustedtight enough to maintain itself in position on seat back 100. A sectionof support strap 30 passes over the top 102 of seat back 100 to presentsling 40 at the front side 104 of seat back 100. Pad 50 of sling 40provides greater comfort, especially for embodiments having a narrowersupport strap. In FIG. 6, support strap 10 is arranged to present sling40 centered with the person and at height to engage the person'smandible.

FIG. 7 shows pad 50 slidable along support strap 30. Pad 50 has endapertures 52 at each end 51 and buckle apertures 53 on its bottom 54.Buckles 55 are located at buckle apertures 53. Pad 50 receives supportstrap 30 through end apertures 52. Support strap 30 passes into one endof pad 50 and through buckles 55 and out the opposite end. Buckles 55provide adjustment points for pad 50 while maintaining pad 50 inposition on support strap 30 once adjustment is made.

FIG. 8 shows the back side 106 of a seat back 100 having an embodimentof a head support 10 installed on it. Seat strap 20 runs across the backside 106 of seat back 100. A first end 32 of support strap 30 attachesto seat strap 20, and support strap 30 runs from there up and over thetop 102 of seat back 100. A second end 33 of support strap 30 attachesto seat strap 20, and support strap 30 runs from there up and over thetop 102 of seat back 100.

FIG. 9 shows the back side 106 of a seat back 100 with an embodiment ofa head support 10 installed on the seat back where an end of a supportstrap 30 attaches to a seat strap 20. Buckle loop 22 attaches buckle 23to seat strap 20. First end 32 of support strap 30 passes through buckle23. Buckle 23 provides a point of adjustment for support strap 30.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of head support 10 installed on a seat back100 and a person using the apparatus adjusted to allow the head to layto the side. In FIG. 6, support strap 10 is arranged to present sling 40centered with the person and the persons head is held in a generallyvertical alignment. However, over longer periods of time, a person maywant to change positions. Staying in one position for an extended periodof time may become uncomfortable. Alternatively, for individual persons,vertical alignment may not be the best position. Support strap 30 passesover the top 102 of seat back 100, using the full height of seat back100. This, along with the several locations where support strap 30 canbe adjusted, and the ability to slide pad 18 along sling 40, allows thehead to be supported while having a sideward tilt.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of a seat strap 20 by itself In thisembodiment, seat strap 20 can be essentially separate from sling 40 andsupport strap 30 of head support 10, and may even be stored in sling 40of head support 10. In FIG. 11, seat strap 20 is a single linear cord 24with both ends 25 of cord 24 being inserted through spring loaded cordlock 26 to form a loop 27. The loop 27 of seat strap 20 can be adjustedto fit a seat back by squeezing cord lock 26 to open it and then pullingeither end 25 or both ends 25 of cord 24 through cord lock 26. In thisway, loop 27 can be adjusted to fit a seat back tightly enough tomaintain its location on the seat back.

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of a sling portion 40 and support straps 30of a head support. Sling 40 has appendages 42 at each of its ends 41.Support straps 30 attach to appendages 42 on the ends 41 of sling 40. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 12, appendages 42 have apertures 43 through whichthe ends 32, 33 of support strap 30 are inserted. Adjustable loops 34are formed at each end 32, 33 of support strap 30 by further passingends 32, 33 through spring loaded cord locks 35 proximal to each end ofsupport strap 30. In all, support strap 30 passes through a cord lock35, an aperture 43 in an appendage 42 on sling 40, and back through arespective cord lock 35 to form adjustable loop 34. Cord locks 35 can bemanually released to adjust the length of support strap 30 extendingbetween apertures 43 of sling 40.

Still referring to FIG. 12, clips 36 have an aperture through whichsupport strap 30 passes. Clips 36 attach support strap 30 to seat strap20 at the back side 106 of seat back 100. From clips 36 support strap 30extends over the top 102 of seat back 100. Clips 36 can be moved alongsupport strap 30 to different positions to change the specific height ofsling 40 and the relative height of ends 41 of sling 40 when it isinstalled on a seat back 100.

In FIG. 12, pouch 46 is partially open. Seat strap 20 is stored in pouch46 when head support 10 is not installed on a seat back. Pouch 46 issealable by hook and loop material, but could be sealable by anypreferred method, such as a zipper, snaps, buttons, clasps, or hooks.

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a head support10 installed on a seat back 100. Seat strap 20 passes around seat back100 and is adjusted and sized to maintain its position by cord lock 26.Sling 40 is suspended from support strap 30 at appendages 42 at ends 41.Support strap 30 pass up over the top 102 of seat back 100. On the backside 106 of seat back 100, support strap 30 attaches to seat strap 20.

FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of head support 10installed on a seat back 100. Support strap 30 comes down from the top102 of seat back 100 and clips 36 attach support strap 30 to seat strap20. In FIG. 14, some slack may be seen in support strap 30 between clips36. Adjusting the locations of clips 36 on seat strap 20 effects thespacing and locations of where support strap 30 passes over the top 102of seat back 100. This can be used to alter where sling 40 is positionedin relation to the center of seat back 100 and can allow a person's headto lay a little to the side. By passing over the top 102 of seat back100, support strap 30 make use of the full height of seat back 100,allowing a greater range of positions for a person using head support10.

FIG. 15 shows an embodiment of a sling portion 40 of a head support 10.In the embodiment of FIG. 15, appendages 42 at ends 41 of sling 40 arespring powered reels 44 which contain support straps 30. Clips 36 areattached to the ends 32 of support straps 30. In FIG. 15, support straps30 are fully retracted within spring powered reels 44. Button 45 ismoved to lock and unlock spring powered reel 44. In some embodiments,button 45 defaults to locking spring powered reel 44 and is pressed, ormoved, to unlock spring powered reel 44. The length of support strap 30is then adjusted to the desired length. Button 45 is released to lockspring powered reel 44 and maintain the length of support strap 30. Inother embodiments, button 45 defaults to an unlocked configuration. Inthose embodiments, support straps 30 are adjusted and then button 45 ismoved to lock spring powered reel 45 to hold the adjusted length ofsupport straps 30.

FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a head support10 installed on a seat back 100. Seat strap 20 passes around seat back100 and is adjusted and sized to maintain its position by cord lock 26.Sling 40 is presented at the front side 104 of seat back 100. Supportstraps 30 extend from spring powered reels 44 at ends 41 of sling 40.Support straps 30 pass up over the top 102 of seat back 100. On the backside 106 of seat back 100, support straps 30 attached to seat strap 20.

FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a head supportinstalled on a seat back. Support straps 30 come down from the top 102of seat back 100 and clips 36 attach support straps 30 to seat strap 20.Adjusting the locations of clips 36 on seat strap 20 effects the spacingand locations of where support straps 30 passes over the top 102 of seatback 100. This can be used to alter where sling 40 is positioned inrelation to the center of seat back 100 and can allow a person's head tolay a little to the side. By passing over the top 102 of seat back 100,support strap 30 make use of the full height of seat back 100, allowinga greater range of positions for a person using head support 10.

FIG. 18 shows an embodiment of a head support 10 installed on a seatback 100 and a person using the apparatus adjusted to contact theforehead. In FIG. 18, seat strap 20 is arranged to pass near the top 102at the back side of seat back 106. Clip 36 on the end of support strap30 may be seen. Head support 10 provides sufficient tension to maintainthe person in an upright neutral position.

FIG. 19 shows an embodiment of a sling portion 40 of a head support 10,the sling portion 40 having spring powered reels 44 within theappendages 42 at the ends 41 of the sling 40. In FIG. 19, at the rightend of sling 30, appendage 42 is partially opened to show spring poweredreel 44 located inside. Button 45 on spring powered reel 45 is pressedto unlock spring powered reel 45 and allow support strap 30 to beadjusted. Button 45 is accessible through the covering of appendage 42when appendage 42 fully encloses spring powered reel 44.

FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a head support10 installed on a seat back 100. Seat strap 20 passes around seat back100 and is adjusted and sized to maintain its position by cord lock 26.Sling 40 is presented at the front side 104 of seat back 100. Supportstraps 30 extend from spring powered reels 44 hidden within appendages42 at ends 41 of sling 40. Buttons controlling spring powered reels 44are accessible through the covering of appendages 42. Support straps 30pass up over the top 102 of seat back 100. On the back side 106 of seatback 100, support straps 30 attached to seat strap 20.

It may be noticed in FIGS. 13, 16, and 20 that sling 40 runshorizontally across the front 104 of seat back 100. This a result ofsling 40 in those embodiments comprising foam filling, or padding, ofsufficient rigidity to maintain their linear shape when not under load.However, sling 40 in those embodiments is pliable and will conform to ausers face. A similar effect may also be seen in FIG. 5, although withless appearance of rigidity. In embodiments, sling 40 may be differentlycomprised and therefore may not have the same appearance when not inuse. For example, some gel cushions may sag under their own weight, etc.

It is to be understood that the embodiments and arrangements set forthherein are not limited in their application to the details ofconstruction and arrangement of the components set forth in thedescription and illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the description andthe drawings provide examples of the embodiments envisioned, but theinvention is not limited to the specific embodiments. The embodimentsdisclosed herein are further capable of other embodiments and of beingpracticed and carried out in various ways, including variouscombinations and sub-combinations that may not have been explicitlydisclosed. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology employed herein are for the purposes of description andshould not be regarded as limiting the claims.

Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that theconception upon which the application and claims are based may bereadily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods,and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the embodiments andclaims presented in this application. It is important, therefore, thatthe invention be regarded as including such equivalent constructions.

I claim:
 1. An apparatus for supporting a person's head while the personis seated in a seat having a seat back, the seat back having a backside, a top, and a front side, said apparatus comprising: a seat strapconfigured to form a loop and encircle the seat back of a seat; and asupport strap having a first end and a second end, said first end andsaid second end of said support strap attaching to said seat strap atthe back side of the seat, said support strap being long enough to reachover the top of the seat back and hang down in the front of the seatback and present a sling at the front of the seat back.
 2. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein: said support strap is of a length to present asling to engage the forehead of a person seated in the seat.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein: said support strap is of a length topresent a sling to engage the mandible of a person seated in the seat.4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said sling has a distal surfaceand a proximal surface, said distal surface contacting the head of aperson seated in the seat and said distal surface being padded.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein: said support strap is adjustable inlength.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: at least one of said firstend and said second end of said support strap is removably attached tosaid seat strap.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said seat strapis adjustable to change the size of said loop.
 8. The apparatus of claim1, further comprising: a sleeve on said support strap, said sleeve beingslidable along said support strap, and said sleeve being padded.
 9. Anapparatus for supporting a person's head while the person is seated in aseat having a seat back, the seat back having a back side, a top, and afront side, said apparatus comprising: a seat strap configured to form aloop and encircle the seat back of a seat; a sling having a first end, asecond end, a distal surface, and a proximal surface; a first slingstrap having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end of saidfirst sling strap attaching to said first end of said sling and saiddistal end of said first sling strap attaching to said seat strap at theback side of the seat; and a second sling strap having a proximal endand a distal end, said proximal end of said second sling strap attachingto said second end of said sling and said distal end of said secondsling strap attaching to said seat strap at the back side of the seat;wherein, said first sling strap and said second sling strap being ofsufficient lengths to pass over the top of the seat back and hang downat the front side of the seat, suspending said sling at the front sideof the seat.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein: said first slingstrap and said second sling strap are of lengths that present said slingat a height to engage the forehead of a person seated in the seat. 11.The apparatus of claim 9, wherein: said first sling strap and saidsecond sling strap are of lengths that present said sling at a height toengage the mandible of a person seated in the seat.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein: said sling contains padding.
 13. The apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein: at least one of said distal end of said first slingstrap and said distal end of said second sling strap is removablyattached to said seat strap.
 14. The apparatus of claim 9, furthercomprising: a first spring driven reel attached to said first end ofsaid sling; and, a second spring driven reel attached to said second endof said sling; said proximal end of said first sling strap terminatingin said first spring driven reel and said proximal end of said secondsling strap terminating in said second spring driven reel.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 9, further comprising: a first spring driven reelattached to said first end of said sling; and, a second spring drivenreel attached to said second end of said sling; said proximal end ofsaid first sling strap terminating in said first spring driven reel andsaid proximal end of said second sling strap terminating in said secondspring driven reel.
 16. A method of supporting a person's head while theperson is seated in a seat having a seat back, the seat back having aback side, a top, and a front side, the method comprising: encirclingthe seat back of a seat with a seat strap and adjusting the seat straptight enough to maintain its location on the seat back; attaching afirst end of a support strap to the seat strap at the back side of theseat back and attaching a second end of said support strap to the seatstrap at the back side of the seat back, so that said support strapforms a sling; and, passing said support strap over the top of the seatback to the front side of the seat back, so that said support strappresents said sling at the front side of said seat back.